San Blas Day Tour from Panamá City: 2 Islands & Starfish Bank

Two islands and a sunken ship in one morning on the water

A full-day tour from Panamá City to San Blas, an archipelago of 365 islands, takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to the coast, then by boat to two islands and Starfish Bank. You sail between stops, swim in turquoise water over white sand, see a natural pool and a submerged wreck, eat a traditional lunch prepared by locals, and shop for Guna handicrafts directly from the artisans who make them. Pickup runs between 5:15 and 5:30 am from your hotel in the city.

The experience

The day starts before dawn with pickup from your hotel in Panamá City, then a drive to the coast where you board a boat for the San Blas islands. Two islands anchor the itinerary (both ranked among the most beautiful in the Caribbean), and the route between them is the real draw: you're on the water for hours, sailing past the kind of turquoise shallows and white-sand beaches that make the archipelago famous. The boat stops at Starfish Bank, a natural pool where you can see starfish on the bottom without touching them (the islands enforce strict rules to keep the ecosystem intact). A sunken ship sits nearby, visible from the water.

Lunch is cooked on one of the islands by Guna people, the indigenous group who govern San Blas and live on the islands year-round. After eating, you have time to walk the islands and buy handicrafts (textiles, carvings, jewelry), sold by the craftspeople themselves rather than through middlemen. The boat returns to the mainland in the afternoon, and the air-conditioned vehicle takes you back to your hotel. Bring your passport. You'll need it at the Guna border checkpoint. The full day runs about 12 and a half hours from pickup to drop-off.

Infrastructure on the islands is minimal by design (no resorts, no crowds, no development), so pack bottled water and snacks beyond what lunch provides. Guna taxes of $22 per person are collected separately and not included in the tour price. The early start means you're on the islands during the warmest part of the day, and the boat ride itself is part of what you came for, not just a transfer between sights.

What’s included

• Lunch prepared on the island.
• visits to two islands and Starfish Bank.
• boat transportation between stops.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup and drop-off from your Panamá City hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Event Plus Panama, S.A.

Is this one for you?The 12-and-a-half-hour commitment means this tour takes most of your day, so book it when you have a full day free and no other plans in the city. The early 5:15 am start rules out a leisurely morning, but it gets you on the water during the warmest hours and back to your hotel by late afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What exactly is Starfish Bank and what will I see there?

Starfish Bank is a natural pool in shallow water where starfish live on the bottom. You'll see them from the boat or while snorkeling, but San Blas enforces a strict no-touch rule to protect the ecosystem, so observation only. A sunken ship is also visible in the same area.

Do I need to bring my passport on this tour?

Yes, your passport is required at the Guna border checkpoint when entering San Blas. Leave it at home and you won't be able to go.

How much time do I actually spend on the islands versus traveling between them?

Most of the day is split between sailing and time on the islands themselves. You visit two islands with breaks for swimming, lunch, and shopping, but the boat ride connecting the stops is a substantial part of the experience, not a quick hop.

Is the lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Lunch is included and prepared on one of the islands by local Guna cooks. The description calls it traditional, but specific dishes aren't detailed. Expect local Caribbean fare made fresh that day.

What's the earliest I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickup happens between 5:15 and 5:30 am from your hotel in Panamá City, so you should be ready by 5:15 am at the latest.